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Toyota-Mazda, Honda to halt production at Alabama plants, will continue to pay workers

Honda North America, which operates a plant in Lincoln, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, which jointly operates the massive Toyota-Mazda plant in Huntsville, announced on Wednesday that it would be shutting down its operations beginning March 23 in order to thoroughly clean its plants as the COVID-19 virus continues to spread.  The companies also said they … Continued
March 18, 2020

“It’s their choice. Individual freedom:” Alabama beaches to remain open for now

The Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism president said that the families and college students at Alabama’s beaches this week are there by “individual choice.”  As beaches in some parts of Florida closed in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Alabama’s coastline this week remained busy.  Photos shared widely on social media show … Continued
March 18, 2020

Red Cross: COVID-19 concerns causing canceled blood drives, severe blood shortage

The American Red Cross issued a statement calling for healthy individuals to donate blood due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak.  Peter Marks, director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said that people need to start turning out “in force” to … Continued
March 18, 2020

Attorney general says runoff election can be postponed, rescheduled

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall issued an opinion Tuesday that Gov. Kay Ivey can reschedule the March 31 runoff election and the secretary of state can certify the results.  Alabama’s Secretary of State John Merrill had asked for Marshall’s opinion, as the novel coronavirus continues to spread across the state, prompting concern over exposing the … Continued
March 17, 2020

Gov. Ivey says state’s banks prepared for COVID-19

Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday issued a statement expressing confidence in preparations made by Alabama’s banks in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I am confident in the preparations and plans that our financial institutions have put in place,” Ivey said in the statement. “I also have significant confidence in the underlying health of our … Continued
March 17, 2020

“An unprecedented situation”: Sen. Doug Jones says “anything is on the table” including direct financial assistance

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones on Tuesday said “anything is on the table” as the country reels from the spread of COVID-19, state health officials rush to try to contain the outbreak and healthcare facilities prepare for an unprecedented strain on the country’s health system. Jones said the Senate is likely to pass the House’s coronavirus … Continued
March 17, 2020

More restaurant, bar limitations and public health measures ordered across Central Alabama

For more information about the closures, visit this page. Restaurants, bars, breweries and other foodservice establishments across six Central Alabama counties will no longer be allowed to serve food or drinks on-premises for at least a week. The order will take effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The new public health guidelines come as the number … Continued
March 17, 2020

Congressman: USDA will allow Alabama schools to keep feeding students during COVID-19 closures

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will allow all public schools in Alabama to provide food for students during the mandatory coronavirus (COVID-19) closures, according to a congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. Congressman from Alabama Robert Alderholt tweeted on Sunday that the USDA granted Alabama a waiver for the National School Lunch Act … Continued
March 16, 2020

Byrne votes against coronavirus response bill

Congressman Bradley Byrne, R-Montrose, thanked President Donald Trump for his efforts to improve the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, but said that he still could not support it. “Tonight, I was asked to vote on a 110-page bill that spends billions of dollars and contains numerous mandates on small businesses only 26 minutes after receiving … Continued
March 16, 2020

Sewell votes for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Congresswoman Terri Sewell, D-Selma, on Saturday commended the House passage of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The package includes many provisions to protect workers and stimulate the economy during the COVID-19 Coronavirus public health crisis. “In the face of this ongoing pandemic, it is critical that the federal government is providing Alabama families with … Continued
March 16, 2020